Departures Podcast with Marie Favereau, author of ‘The Horde’

By Editor | Published: June 9, 2021

In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Mongol horde exercised control over an unfathomably large empire, spanning thousands of miles from Europe to Russia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. History has often not looked kindly upon these nomadic civilizations, which has led to some major blindspots regarding astonishing achievements, explosive growth in trade, commerce, […]

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Departures Podcast with Luke Patey

By Editor | Published: May 5, 2021

In recent years, China has gradually transitioned from a “quiet rise” strategy under Hu Jintao to the “wolf warrior” mode of diplomacy, as the government seeks to take more aggressive actions to defend its interests and expand its influence in the international environment. While this has in many cases produced successful outcomes, there is also […]

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Departures Interview with Selçuk Colakoğlu

By Editor | Published: April 26, 2021

Since the end of the Cold War, Turkey’s geostrategic relevance as a NATO ally bridging the West with Asia has been highlighted repeatedly – but there’s often been less attention on how Ankara’s role has been managed in terms of its relations with Beijing. This week Selçuk Çolakoğlu of the Turkish Center for Asia Pacific […]

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Departures Podcast with Christopher Capozzola

By Editor | Published: February 15, 2021

Since the United States touched base in the Philippines in 1898, the relationship between the Philippines and the U.S. has endured with war and military service forging a continuing but contentious relationship between the two countries. But has it been a productive relationship for both members? While Filipinos have served in the American military since […]

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The Tatmadaw Turns Back the Clock in Myanmar

By Merve Şebnem Oruç | Published: February 6, 2021

On the morning of February 1, Myanmar, a Southeast Asian country of more than 100 ethnic groups, bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand, woke up to the news that the military seized control of the state. The country’s leader (the official title is the State Counsellor) Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s President Win Myint, […]

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Latest Scandal at Gulen-run Charter School in Orlando Underscores Need for Urgent Investigation

By Editor | Published: January 26, 2021

The following press release was distributed to media today. WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — According to reports aired by local ABC News affiliate WFTV, Abdulaziz Yalcin, the principal of Orlando Science Charter School, has been arrested on two counts of failing to report child abuse. “Mr. Yalcin’s arrest is only the latest in a long series of alleged […]

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Departures Podcast with Rana Mitter

By Editor | Published: December 28, 2020

For much of China’s history, the Communist Party leadership sought to portray the country’s experience in World War II as that of a victim of Japan. But now, as China grows much more powerful and influential, the historical memory is also adapting to tell a different story. This week we are joined by Rana Mitter, […]

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Departures Podcast with Paul Jankowski

By Editor | Published: December 7, 2020

A favorite historical hypothetical question we often hear tossed around is what should the world have done differently to halt the rise of Nazi Germany and prevent World War II from taking place. But the truth is, the number of signals and signs of this approaching threat were numerous and often rather clear, and so […]

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Will Afghanistan Ever Find Peace?

By Merve Şebnem Oruç | Published: September 4, 2020

Afghanistan is back in the news. The front pages of the main American newspapers are carrying the news of some new Afghan developments. At this time, the attention is on the Russian effort to hurt the Americans as they begin to withdraw from Afghanistan. It is alleged that Moscow is paying Taliban fighters large bounties […]

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What does Turkey’s gas discovery mean for the country and the region?

By Merve Şebnem Oruç | Published: August 31, 2020

Addressing to the nation on Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that Turkey’s Fatih drilling vessel discovered the country’s largest natural gas reverse in its history in Tuna-1 field in the Black Sea. Erdoğan said the reserve discovered is amounted to 320 billion cubic meters. There are additional layers below the discovered reserve, according […]

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